V6 Oil Bath To Paper Element Conversion

I was curious about converting a Dauntless V6 oil bath air cleaner to paper element just for simplicity and cleanliness, but didn't want to modify my original oil bath air cleaner as it was in pretty nice shape. Did some searches, but mostly found threads on the 4 cyl oil bath conversions. I found a rusty one for $30, so...why not? Worthy of note: This only requires modification to the center section of the oil bath air cleaner.

Edit - After additional research and some good feedback from Maury, WIX 46023 is the best fit for size and CFM ($12 at local parts store). The center section is too tall and needs to be shortened...

Removed the rolled rim holding the bottom flanged plate on by carefully grinding it away...

Measured, marked and cut the center section down to size (thin cut-off wheel in a small angle grinder worked best)

Drilled some small holes in the flange plate and re-attached it to the shortened center section with small plug welds. I suppose you could leave some small tabs on the center section when you cut it off, make some slots or holes in the flange plate to align with them, then bend the tabs over if you don't have a welder.

I ended up with a very tight seam where the flange plate met the center section after spot welding, but ran a thin bead of gasket maker around it for good measure and an air-tight seal. The filter is a snug fit inside the top flange (had to work it in there a bit), the bottom also fits nice and snug in the lower housing. End result after bead blasting, primer/paint.

 

Excellent work!

I recently did a similar conversion using the first ('66 - early '67) version of the the V6 oil bath air cleaner. I had to convert that one a bit differently, in part because the flange plate on the earlier version is cone-shaped, rather than flat. I'll make a post soon showing how I converted mine, and put a link to it here (and also put a link in my post to yours).

Update - Here's that post: ( Early Type ) V6 Oil Bath To Paper Element Air Cleaner Conversion

 

Looking forward to it!

I haven't run this yet as my engine is at the machine shop as we speak. Seems like it should improve air flow, any concerns about a lean condition? I did this to my 8n tractor and had to re-jet the carb to get the mixture right (ran out of adjustment in the mixture screw). I guess we'll find out soon.

Also worth mentioning, if the emissions stuff is gone (as most of them are), be sure to block off the horn on the outer portion of the air cleaner whether converted to paper filter or still running oil bath as that inlet bypasses the filtration and goes directly into the carb throat. Mine was missing (hence the $30 price), so I just welded a plug flush in the hole.

 

Nice job.

 

Beautiful work sir!

 

I just updated my post above to add a link to my post a few above this one to show a link to a new thread describing the modification of an early-type oil bath air cleaner to accept a paper element.

 

this is great.. amazing what happens when you search!

 

This is a great thread. I need to do this to my oil bath!